The Moline Fire Department is getting a new truck, but they're not happy about it.
"We should keep things the same," said Brian Vyncke, President of Moline Firefighters Association. But city leaders say two older fire vehicles need to be replaced and both of them can be replaced with one new truck called a "quint."
Vyncke says fire crews like the amenities their current ladder truck offers. For example, it has a ladder with a platform and bucket on the end, so firefighters can better work in teams. Crews are worried they'll lose helpful equipment if the ladder truck is replaced.
"When you take two pieces of fire equipment and you try and consolidate it down to one, some things have to go," Vyncke said.
Some things and some people. Reducing the fleet enables the city to reduce staff. Lew Steinbrecher, Moline City Administrator, says this deal was agreed upon in a 2012 budget negotiation --
"I'm surprised that it's a surprise to some individuals," Steinbrecher said. "This is a negotiated settlement, it was ratified by the union and it was approved by city council."
In order to save Moline's EMS service and avoid the layoffs of 12 firefighters, the union and the city agreed to the attrition of five firefighters over the next two years. Also part of the cost-cutting agreement? The purchase of a quint truck.
City leaders say they already have a committee looking for the new quint vehicle, which could be in service by spring of 2013. Expected cost is $700,000 -- the money comes from a city vehicle replacement fund.
